From bottom of the Championship to winners in the play-off final, Steve Cooper did the unthinkable last season and helped Nottingham Forest achieve promotion back to the English top flight for the first time since 1999.
Over the summer, Nottingham Forest underwent an extensive squad overhaul as they signed 22 players in the transfer window. However, the first half of the season hasn’t panned out as desired, with the Tricky Trees occupying one of the spots in the relegation zone.
Three months into the new season, there have been a lot of ups and downs for Steve Cooper’s side. That said, here are three things we have learnt from Nottingham Forest’s season so far.
#Brennan Johnson is a star in the making
Brennan Johnson has shone for Nottingham Forest during the first three months of the new season, catching the eye with his speed, mobility, guile and movement.
The Wales international, 21, is a talent Nottingham Forest want to groom, and there have been plenty of signs of the player’s potential. He had found it tough to have an influence on games but on his day, the youngster has proven to be unstoppable.
It is clear Johnson needs to do more in the way of goals and assists, and after playing at the World Cup in Qatar, the forward’s job will be to find consistency in his game and aid in the Reds’ fight to stay up.
#Steve Cooper—The right man to lead Forest
After a difficult start in bedding in 22 new players signed over the summer and adapting to the demands of Premier League football, if anyone was going to be able to do that, it was Steve Cooper.
Cooper’s stint with Nottingham Forest has already been one full of ups and downs and now he faces his biggest test in ensuring Premier League survival. He has been flexible with his team selections and formations, using the best combination to try and get the most out of his players.
When the team has failed to get points on board, he has not shied away from taking the difficult calls and drop big stars from the starting XI. And Cooper deserves credit for that. Perhaps Forest’s boldest decision was their best one, sticking with Cooper after the 4-0 demolition to Midlands rivals Leicester City and handing him a new contract a few days later. It was clearly a sign of trust and backing by the club.
#Forest have the quality to stay up
Gustavo Scarpa will become Forest’s 23rd signing of the season after the Brazilian will join the club on a free transfer from Palmeiras in January.
There is a mix of youth and experience at Forest; some players arrived with impressive CVs, others with Premier League expertise and some with plenty of potential to unlock. It has taken time for Cooper to get to know his players properly and help the players find their feet in the Premier League. And so far he has done a decent job with the group showing signs of settling down.
Overall, there is quality and depth in the squad and Cooper has done the hardest part of weaving it all together. There is unity, fighting spirit and culture within the squad, and that coupled with optimism around the City Ground, should give Cooper and co. a great opportunity to beat the drop at the first time of asking.
